Expansible and reversible envelope



G. E. POWELL 2,332,751 EXPANSIBLE AND REVERSIBLE ENVELOPE Filed June 2, 1941 10 3nventor GeargeZlPo we Patented Oct. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT T OFFICE EXPANSIBLE AND REVERSIBLE ENVELOPE George E. Powell, Los Angeles, Calif. Application June 2, 1941, Serial No. 296,304

6 Claims. (01. 229- 73) A This invention relates to improvements" primarily in mailing wrappers herin specified as an envelope. The chief use of theenvelope is to facilitate the sending of first class and lower class mail in combination in a singleitem thus insuring the receipt of both pieces of mailof the two classes at the same time to the avoidance of the annoyance ofreceiving the first class item and having to wait for the other to arrive. -While, as stated, this is the primary purpose of the invention, yet the use of the latter is readily extensible to such purposes as transmitting drawings, oocuments, photographs and an indefinite list of sundry articles and materials. 7 1 5 Another phase of the invention takes into account the fairly common occurrence of the recipient of an itemof mail lacking an adequate wrapper in dispatching a response, either'from the standpoint of transmitting a letter or returnmerchandise sent for inspection or approval. The difficulty thus engendered is overcome by making the instant envelope reversible in character. It is proposed to use a stout paper in the first instance so that the item of mail will not only withstand the wear and tear of the outbound trip but will also withstand the reversal of the parts of the envelope and then the ultimate return trip. 7

Sighthas not been lost of a desirable economy in the manufacture of the envelope. this end it has been found that a basic pattern could be employed for all of the various purposes herein contemplated, the usual distinction generally occurring consisting of slight differences in the cuts of the fiaps'to vary the capacity of the envelope. With this preamble in mind the objects of the invention are as follow:- v

First, to provide an envelope which has a basic pattern and which is convertible into an all-purpose envelope mainly by altering the positions of the side flaps when closing said envelope for the purpose of mailing, 1 g

Second, to provide an envelope which according to a single type will suflice for first, second,- third or fourth class mail, varying only in differences of size and thus avoiding thenecessity of having to stock different types for the purposes stated. i 7

Third, to provide an and other class mail can be sent at one and-the same time, thereby enabling the expeditious transmission of a first class letter as well as matter such as samples, said envelope then being reversible by the recipient for thedispatching of a return letter by first class mail, or :the return Toward I envelope in which. first of the other class of matter in its respective class by proper arrangement of the positions of the side and end flaps.

Fourth,'to provide an envelope with the foregoing characteristics, having places at definitely indicated'points for starting the openingoperation, the guidance thus'afiord'ed preventing the mutilation of the envelope so that it can be reused as intended.

Fifth, to provide an envelope havingcorner fillets which reinforce thebody and flaps when the enclosed matter is thin and which enable the e ipansion of the covering structure when the enclosure is thick. i

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a characteristic blank, this View illustrating the appearance of the outside of the blank for the first form of the envelope. i

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inside of said blank. l I Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the first fold of the blank in Fig. 2; preparatory to constructing an enclosure for first and third or fourth class mail in a single mailable item] Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating the second fold. w i

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating the final fold whereupon the'item isready for mailing.

Figure 6 is a plan viewlof the envelope, showing it as havingbeen-opened at its destination.

Figure '7 is a planyiew of the blank in Fig. 6, showing said blank as having been flattened out and turned over preparatory to remailing Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the first and second folds of the blank in Fig. 7

Figure 9 is a plan View illustrating the final and resealing fold of theblank in Fig. '7.

I Figure 10 is a plan view of the outsideofa blank used in the manufacture of the second form of envelope.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the inside of said blank. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the blank in Fig. 11, showing it as being ready for enclosure and sealing around a contained article loosely wrapped in a corresponding return blank.

Figure' 13 is a perspective view illustrating the sealed envelopein Fig. l2as having been opened at its destination.

Figure 14 is a plan view of a third formof envelope, illustrating the outside of the blank;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the blank in Fig. 14 illustrating the inside.

In carrying out the invention provision is made of a blank I which is so designated in all of the forms of the invention excepting that in the second and third forms in Figs. 10 and 14 it is distinguished by the exponent letters a and b. This blank comprises what has been termed a-basic pattern, that is to say, there is no material variation in its formation in any of the three forms. The outside of the blank I appears as in Fig. 1.

Here the body 2 is shown to have side flaps 3 and. Q which are bendable on scores 5, 6. It also has end flaps I, 8, these being bendable on scores 9',

II). It is important to observe thatthe scores 5, 6, are approximately at thirds with respect to the length of the blank I. The advantage and purpose of this provision is that thetwo flaps 3, II will fully overlap each other in the finally folded envelope I I, the development cfwhic'h is to be traced through Figs. 4 and 5.

The bodyZ of the blank I is rectangular in shape. Said body is'delineated by the scores 5, 6, 9 and It). The. side flaps ,3, 4, are substantially rectangular inshape, but they depart from thatcom'iguration by endreductions at It? which narrow the, side flaps by the. extent of the reductions and produce offsets I3 which merge into the boundaries of the end fiaps I, 8. as well seen in each of Figs. l and 2. Said end flaps are desirably of curvi-linear form although they could be shaped otherwise than illustrated without affecting their intended purposes.

It is to be observed that the scores 5,3,9, and

I terminate at the boundaries of the flaps I, 8. In doing so they cross at the points commonly designated I l. Said scores flare as the consequence of said crossing, and the flares demarcate fillets I which serve the important purposes of reinforcing the bod and flapswhen the contents of the envelope are thin and providing for the necessary expansion of the envelope when the enclosure is thick. The scores 9 and ,Hiflre located on the endfiaps-l and 8 in; lines which are located outwardly of and parallel to a line passing through a pair of end edges of the side fiaps at each side of the blank I. H y Reverting to the structure ofthe blank I (Fig. 1), the side 'fiap 3 has a line of perforations; I I5 which follows the outline of the free edge of the flap, starting and ending atmaster perforations II from which the line I6 branches 01f to the edges of the flap 3 on slight inclines as at I8. I v

The fiap' 3 has an opening I9 put into it. fIliis opening is covered by a transparent strip of paper (Fig. 2) completing a window. Stamp po sitions for first, thirdor fourth class postage are imprinted at 2I "and '22 on the outside of the flap 3. The outsid'efof thej fia'p" 4' is marginally gummed at 23. Acircle 24 or a'jfig'ure of some other preferred design, isfimprinted on a portion of the gummed margin, being supplemented with the notation Moisten this spot.

On the inside of the blank I thebody 2 isim printed with a stamp position'25 and appropriate rulings 26 to guide the writing in of addresses. The margin 21' delineated by'the perforations I6 is gummed. This gum-is herein known as the the returning gum; 1

The envelope 1! (Figs. l-a'nd 5) is adapted to enclose a first class item of mail or a third (or fourth) class item, and then allow for a return response by first class mail. In. order to. achieve these purposes the blank I isizu'sedas follows:

sending gum as distinguished from 23 which is The end flaps I, 8, are first folded inwardly (Fig.

3) upon the body 2 at the scores 9, II). An iteln of third class mail, such as a piece ofmerchandise, may first be laid upon the body 2 whereupon the flaps I, 8, are folded thereover as stated.- The alternative would be to do all of the folding first and then pull out one of the end flaps I, 8, for the insertion of the article of merchandise.

But continuing with the folding, the next step consists of bringing up. the side flap 4, folding the latter on the score 6., The returning gum 23 which formerly was underneath (Fig. 2) is now brought to view. The final fold consists of bring 7 ing the side flap 3 down (Fig. 5), thefolding be-' p f ing done. onthe score 5. Previously to folding the flap 3. over the sending gum 21 is moistened carefully from beginning to end. The end porp tions. 28'. of'it (Fig. 4) will be superimposedupon most, but not all,'of the end portions 29 of the returning gum. The side portion 30 of the send--v ins: umxwill be permanently afiixed, on top of the flap, I,- the. result, being that the flap 3 is Se,- curedptoithe flap 4 the full extent of the sending gum 21. Only that portion'of the returning gum 23, designated by thecircle His moistened. This is donezseparately first, then held to position after whichsending gum is moistened and affixed. All of 29 remains unmoisteneduntil contacted in part by the moist portions of 21. the result ofthis mode of-folding and securing the blank I the cQmDleted envelope I I, (Fig.5) is a well sealed receptacle for first class mailimmediately beneath the flap 3 and'e. receptacle for a lower class of mail between the body 2 and flap 4. The first class item; of mail is intended to be of the type having an address thereon which will show through the window 9, 20;. Postage stamps of the propendenominations are afiixed at 2| and 22.

Upon the arrival of this envelope at its desti-' nation the recipient should read the instructions which willbe printed on at a convenient place. Said instructions wilistate that a tearing'implernent; suchasthe point of a pencil, should be inserted -at the master perforations I! (Fig. 5)

- and; moved along the line of perforations I6. The

result will be a separation of the, flap 3 from its now adhering, margin-2.1. By swinging the flap 3 back on the crease 5 the first class item SI will be-revealed. 'I'helowerclass item may be withdrawneitherfrom betweenthe body 2 and flap 4 or'from 011,6 of the ends of the envelope by first r y ul smi o e o e ndfl ps 8 Saidnaps, are capable of being pulledfor postal inspection, inasmuch as they are merely loosely held-inplace. It is this accessibility to the "arti le Qf. e nd e wh eh charac r z t as e:

ing of lower class mail. IUlS IIOWj'Pl'QSHmGd' that the addresseewishes'to respond to the letter 3|. n l inath f a 3, b k; (Fig. 6) headhes on at theci q afi sabroke r er l in h aphard. enou h; Th ither=, s. a the!) flattened out and turned overasin Fig. The

appearance of the blank I thnismuch t same a in .F axc pt g h h ri e or n 2'I of the flap 3 outlined bythe sending Th aps 35. and; 8.: ar ag n f d n ard y. (Fig. 18),. this time. upon {the :outside of the blank instead of the inside (Fig. 3) the final act being to bring the fiap4 over. and down (Fig. 9);.

Fig.7. well illustrates thoselportions of the.re-.

turning. gum 23-iwhichi were notmoistened'in' the first sending. These portions are now .molstened;

after the. recipient'of' thei'temsof mail has en I foldedhis response underr the: flaps, 3,11 and' 8 (Fig. .8); andthe flap tispresseddown as already stated in connection with Fig.9.v Enough of the returning gum 23 is exposed to the flaps 3,1 and 8 to insure a thorough sealing which willclassify the envelope-in Fig. 9as first class mail.';.

Very often the lower class kind'of mail intended to be conveyed by the accessible compartment between the sealedand overlapped side flaps 3, 4, is of a more or less bulky character. It is for the accommodation of an item such asthis that the fillets it serve as expansion members; Instead'of the folds occurring on the creases 5,6, and 9, H), they will extend out farther in each of the four directions and thustakein'more of the fillets 15. The closure will be just'as good as in the first instance because there is enough surplus material in the fillets l-fit to compensate for the increase in bulk in the'lower clas'sitem.

Reference is next made to the second form of the invention'in Figs. 10 to 13. Theblank la is much the same-as the blank ;I-' (Fig. 1). In order to avoid the duplication of the description of corresponding parts'in Fig; 1 said parts are line of perforations'as in Fig. 1., Instead of this the flap 3a has an arcuateline 32 .of perforations extending from end to end, said line constituting the starting place for two short-curved branches 33 which terminate at the contiguous edge of the side fiap 3a. The resulting sub-flap 34 is provided'with a hole 35 adapted for postal inspece tion. The arcuate line 32 has master perforations Ila as before, constituting starting places for tearing.

This particular envelope is intended to include in its combination an enclosure 35 (Fig. 12) which consists of a Wrapper 31 identical'in everyrespect With the blank la. The similarity willbe seen by the corresponding reference numerals directed to the arcuate and branch perforations 32, 33. The wrapper 31 is to'be regarded as being put around an article of merchandise which is to be submitted to the addressee. Said article, together with its wrapper 31 constitutes the enclosure 33 referred to. The recipient is thus provided with an unmutilated return envelope.

Inasmuch as the enclosure 33 is of appreciable thickness the corner fillets la will function fully in the manner previously described in conjunction with the first form of the invention. Having emplaced the enclosure 36 the end flaps 1a, 8a, are folded over whereupon the side flaps 4a, 3a, are overlapped in succession. The fiap 3a is sealed by means of the sending gum 21a and by moistening the circle atfZfla so that when the unit is complete for mailing it will look much on the order of the envelope H in Fig. 5.

The recipient will tear the flap 3a usually along the arcuate line of perforations 32 so that the freed part of the flap 3a can be lifted as in Fig; 13. The enclosure 36 will then be accessible as will also the letter 38. In order to have full access to the letter compartment the branch perforations 33 may also be torn so as to' enable out being distinguished in Figsxle and by the exponent letters b. This particular blank is more in the nature of a business reply envelope, to which end the body 22) (Fig. 15) is imprinted at 39 in the manner generally suggested inFig. 15. A simple inspection hole 4|] is cut in theflap 32), allowing for postal inspection relative to whether or not said compartment contains any matter at all as if and when'the envelope be mailed strictly thirdiorfourth class." As in, each of the other .two forms of the invention the blank lb. (Figs. 14 312M115) is intended to be reversed by the recipient of the original item ofmail. It is then that I "the business reply side '39 of the envelope will show. q,

In conclusion, this invention need not belimited to use in the mails, but when made of suitable material can be used for the enclosure of articles usually shipped by freight or expressfrom factory toshowroom, removed from the wrapper for l display purposes or otherwise, and again shipped to the consumer in the same reversed envelope. From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the envelope blank lends itself to a'. number of uses. -By an extension of this idea it is possible to obtain other forms merely by altering the positions of one or the other or both end flaps relative to the side flaps.

-I claim:

1. An envelope comprising abody having oppositely directed side flaps, the bodyand flaps being of substantially the same dimension in the longitudinal direction of the envelope thereby to fullyoverlap'the flaps upon themselves and mutually upon the body gummed margins follovving substantially the entire boundaries of both side flaps but being located on opposite sides of therespective flaps so as to confront each other in respect to the overlapped side flaps, the entire gummed margin of one of the flaps being secured to the companion flap and to a part only of its gummed margin thereby leaving an unused gummed portion on said companion flap but at the same time defining a closed compartment for first-class mail, and lines of perforations adjacentthe aforesaid entire gummed margin of said one flap, including at least one master perforation providing a starting place for tearing along the line of perforations, thus again releasing said one flap for reuse in rescaling by employment of the unused gummed portion of said companion flap after reversing the envelope.

2. An envelope comprising a body having oppositely directed side flaps, the body and flaps being of substantially the same dimension in the longitudinal direction of the envelope thereby tofully overlap the flaps upon themselves and mutually upon the body, gummed margins following substantially the entire boundaries of both side flaps but being located on opposite sides of the respective flaps so as to confront each other in respect to the overlapped side fiaps, the entire gummed margin of one of the flaps being secured to the companion flap and to a part only of its gummed margin thereby leaving an unused gummed portion on said companion fiap but at the same time defining a closed compartment for first-class mail, lines of perforations adjacent laying back the sub-flap 34. By folding the flap Y the aforesaid entire gummed margin of said one fiap, including at least one master perforation providing a starting place for tearing along the line of perforations, thus again releasing said one flap for reuse in resealing by employment of the unused gummed portion of said companion fiap after reversing the envelope, and oppositely directed end flaps atthe ends of thebjo'dy adapted to be overlapped upon said reversedconet flap to; the I superimposed one flap; the-remainder; ot-

the gummed: margin; of the companion flap: be,-

upon the body, said side flaps having end reductions contiguous to the end flaps, scores demarcate ing the various flaps from the body, terminating at themargins oftheend flaps, said scores crossing each other and defining ofisets adjacent to the end reductions of' the side flaps and 'demarcating fillets," gummed. margins. at the boundaries of both of: the side 'fiaps but lo'catedon opposite sides, of the respective; flaps-to form closed compartments for respectively sending; and returning two classes of mail matter, said end flaps being adapted for tucking around ansarticle of lower class mail pocketed; between the'body and." the overlapped ilap next adjacent, said-iofisets and fillets providing for the outward. displacement of the scores, the other side flaplhaving a series ofperforations defining a cutting line for opening the first class mail compartment and to free the side fiaps to provide for a reversal of the parts to form a return envelope. I e

4. An envelope comprising a body, having oppositely directed side flaps, the body and flaps being of substantially the; same climensionin the longitudinal direction of the envelope; thereby to fully overlap the flaps upon themselves and mutually upon the body, virtually identicalgumrned margins following substantially the entire bound aries of both side flaps but located on opposite sides of the respective flaps, one of said side flaps having lines of perforations adjacent its gummed margins including at least one master perforation, said gummed margins confronting each other in respect to the overlapped side 'fia'ps the-entire.

gummed margin of one of the flapsbeingsecured to the-companion flap, said companion flaphaving a designated moistening place in its gummed margin providing for sealing at that place only mg leftvunused; said'one flap beinguadapted for tearing. out: along said :o-line .ofitperforation's, and

for tearing awaypat' said gummed place for access; to; the first: class: mail compartment defined by.

said overlapped and sealed flaps; is 15.--A mailablej-item comprising an envelope conj- SiStingQOffa body having oppositely directed side flaps withgummed marginson' the oppo'si'tej. si des of the respective, flaps, end. flaps completing the envelope, said body; having;scores at right angles demarcating-thervariousvflaps, said scores being crossed, near 'theirterminals todefine fillets; and. i

an: enclosure completing said mailable item consisting of a wrapper'including. a body Iwith side' randyend fiaps adapted to enclose an i article of merchandise; the foregoing side .andjendflaps being closed down uponrsaid enclosureyand' one 1 oi the side fiapslhaving, an ar'cuate'line of periorations extending from end to end andibranch' p perforations extending from said line to the side" f jg margin-of said'sidefiap;

6. A" reversible {envelope for mailing matter of different classes, blank consisting of; a single,

sheet having a body and oppositely directed side flaps; a pair of oppositely directedend flaps, scores at right angles to eaohothermarkingofi' the end fiapsand dividing the'* blank;*:longitudi+ nally'into substantial thirds-so that the side flaps are substantially the same dimension :in the longitudinal direction ofthe blank asthe-bodmsaid side fiapshavingtend reductions beyond which thezscores of the end flaps arelocated, allof the scores terminating atthe margins of the-end flaps and defining -fillets adjacent to said, end

reductions, and gummed: margins along. the side extremities and the end'extremities of the side flaps, said gummed margins being located on'opposite sides of the respective sideflaps, said 'gummedmarginswhen moistened'adaptedto seal Y v the sid'e flaps together to form a'fi-rst class man compartment, the outer side flaphaving-a'se'ries of perforations adjacent its-gunnn'edmargins'de- V fining a cutting line 161 opening the first class vflaps f'rom'eacn other to'pro'vide'for the reversal of the parts and the formation ofth'ereturnenvelope.

. mailing compartment and for" freeing'the 'slde, H

l O E E. oWE L'; 

